Recent hernia surgery to limit Astros' Evan Gattis this spring

Updated 9:17 pm, Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently had hernia surgery, and his recovery is expected to take four to six weeks.

Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently had hernia surgery, and his recovery is expected to take four to six weeks.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros' Evan Gattis watches his fifth-inning, two-run home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) less

Houston Astros' Evan Gattis watches his fifth-inning, two-run home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Houston Astros' Evan Gattis celebrates with third base coach Gary Pettis on his way to home plate after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) less

Houston Astros' Evan Gattis celebrates with third base coach Gary Pettis on his way to home plate after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in New York. (AP ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Houston Astros' Evan Gattis, left, is greeted by Luis Valbuena (18) in the dugout after he scored on a double hit by Jonathan Villar in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Houston Astros' Evan Gattis, left, is greeted by Luis Valbuena (18) in the dugout after he scored on a double hit by Jonathan Villar in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Seattle. ... more

Third base umpire Jerry Meals, left, runs alongside Houston Astros' Evan Gattis as Gattis runs from second base to third after he hit a solo-home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Third base umpire Jerry Meals, left, runs alongside Houston Astros' Evan Gattis as Gattis runs from second base to third after he hit a solo-home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle ... more

Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) celebrates his three-run home by butting heads with Colby Rasmus (28) during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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The look of despair displayed by designated hitter Evan Gattis on Friday has been a common sight among Astros batters during a 4-12 September skid.

The look of despair displayed by designated hitter Evan Gattis on Friday has been a common sight among Astros batters during a 4-12 September skid.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

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Recent hernia surgery to limit Astros' Evan Gattis this spring

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One of the Astros' big bats won't be taking hacks when the Astros hold their first full workout on Feb. 23.

Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently underwent surgery to repair a hernia, the Chronicle has learned, taking away most of his spring training at a minimum. The recovery is four to six weeks but fortunately for Gattis and the Astros, the injury is not considered severe.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow could not immediately be reached by phone.

Gattis, 29, is entering his second season with the Astros. He has an arbitration hearing set for Feb. 16, with the team and player far apart — and his health a new wrinkle.

The Astros proposed a 2016 salary of $3 million while Gattis asked for $3.8 million. It's unclear how significantly his operation will affect his case.

Gattis hit 27 home runs last season, with a .246 average, .285 on-base percentage and .463 slugging percentage. A terrible April gave way to stronger numbers: he had a .267/.309/.488 line from May 24 through the end of the regular season, a span of 112 games and 109 starts.